Princess of Wales met with rare protest on museum visit

A rare protest disrupted the Princess of Wales’ visit to a museum.

A video recording from Richard Palmer, royal correspondent at the Daily Express, showed the sole republican protester waving placards, while being held back by a police officer, as Kate arrived at the Foundling Museum in central London on Thursday.

One placard appeared to accuse the monarchy of “child abuse” while the other read: “Born equal.”

Palmer said he believed it was the first time a protester has ever been present at one of Kate’s solo engagements.

Later, as Kate left the building, the protester was then seen waving the placards while standing with other members of the public.

The Metropolitan Police told Yahoo News UK no arrests were made.

It comes after vocal protests during the King's coronation earlier this month, which saw a total of 62 arrests.

Police were criticised over the “incredibly alarming” arrests of anti-monarchy protesters during the demonstrations against King Charles' lavish ceremony.

Hundreds of anti-royalists were confronted by police - and some prevented from entering Trafalgar Square - as a volley of arrests of both republicans and Just Stop Oil protesters were made, sparking concern over the "low threshold" adopted by the Met.

Six members of anti-monarchy group Republic were held for 16 hours before being released without charge.

A complaint has also been lodged by royal fan Alice Chambers, 36, who was held in custody for 13 hours after being mistaken for a Just Stop Oil protester as she waited on the Mall hoping to catch a glimpse of the King.

Human Rights Watch said of the arrests: "This is something you would expect to see in Moscow, not London."

It came after a poll, released ahead of the coronation, revealed a rise in support among Britons for a referendum on whether the country should continue to have a monarchy.

YouGov polling found three in 10 Britons (31%) think there should be a referendum, up 9% since the firm asked the same question in September last year.

However, this is still a minority opinion: overall, more than half (52%) do not think there should be such a referendum.

Watch: Kate visits Foundling Museum as she learns about care system

Meanwhile, during her visit to the museum on Thursday, the princess met foster parents and people who have experienced the care system.

Kate is patron of the museum, which tells the history of the Foundling Hospital, which in the mid-18th century began caring for children abandoned by their mothers who could not look after them.

She was joined by rapper Professor Green when she met young people who have been in care and have taken part in the museum’s "Tracing Our Tales" programme.

The initiative aims to give them the skills and confidence to deliver learning programmes at the museum, return to education, secure apprenticeships and jobs, alongside the ability to express themselves creatively.